title: Probiotics improve bowel movements in hospitalized elderly patients--the PROAGE study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the impact of probiotics on the prevention of problems with bowel movements malnutrition and infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral Geriatric Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  243 elderly patients age ≥ 65 y who were hospitalized in a Geriatric Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized into treatment or control groups (daily probiotics or placebo for 45 consecutive days, respectively).
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcomes were: number of days of constipation or diarrhea and the number of days of laxative use. Secondary measures were nutritional status and blood measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 599 patients admitted to the Geriatric Rehabilitation ward, 345 were eligible and agreed to participate. During a 7-day pre-trial period, 102 patients dropped out (45 and 57 in the probiotic and placebo groups respectively). Out of the 243 patients who entered the study, 28 dropped out during the study (11.5%), leaving 215 patients. Throughout the 45 days of follow-up, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower among the study group (HR=0.42, p=0.04) with a more pronounced difference among participants aged ≥ 80 y (HR=0.32, p=0.026). Laxative use (as an indicator of constipation severity) was significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group (HR=0.74, p=0.032). Serum albumin, prealbumin and protein increased significantly more in the treatment group compared with the control group among participants age ≥ 80 y (P=0.047, p=0.07, p=0.03 respectively) but not in the younger age group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed that probiotic supplements may have a positive effect on bowel movements among orthopedic rehabilitation elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Harzfeld Geriatric Medical Center, Gedera, 70750 Israel. hilla_z@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zaharoni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rimon
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vardi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bolotin
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Shahar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin